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| File Photo: SON DG, Osita Aboloma, addressing newsmen at a site where the agency destroys fake and substandard products |
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria
(SON) has raided shops and sealed warehouse where millions of substandard
pasta, sugar were stocked in Lagos.
(SON) has raided shops and sealed warehouse where millions of substandard
pasta, sugar were stocked in Lagos.
Some of the shops were located in markets where
the substandard goods are being sold.
The Director-General, Osita Aboloma, said the
shops and warehouse had products described as “unwholesome” and risky for human
consumption.
shops and warehouse had products described as “unwholesome” and risky for human
consumption.
Abolama said the products were smuggled into the
country without registration numbers, adding the goods were injurious to human
health.
He disclosed that the raid was as a result of
intelligence reports from other security agencies that are in cooperation with
the organization.
He said, “the seized products do not meet our
standard specifications, a critical part of which is the regulation on
fortification with Vitamin A.
“There were no documentations to show how they got
into the country and evidence of being registered under our electronic product
registration scheme. They are not supposed to be on our shelves.”
into the country and evidence of being registered under our electronic product
registration scheme. They are not supposed to be on our shelves.”
Aboloma was particularly worried about the
presence of unfortified pasta, flour and sugar in the country, adding that they
were not good for human consumption.
He said, “Flour, pasta, vegetable oil and sugar
are foods that Nigerians consume regularly and if they are not fortified with
the necessary vitamins as provided in the relevant standards, the Nigerian
consumers would be prone to such illnesses as blindness and other sight problems.”
Represented by the Deputy Director, Market
Surveillance, Suleiman Issa, the DG said SON was carrying out a campaign to do
away with substandard imported sugar, flour and flour products in the country.
He said, “These products have not been registered
with SON for traceability and quality verification. I will advise Nigerians to
look out for the registration numbers of SON and NAFDAC on imported food
products before purchase. Any uncertified,
“unregistered and smuggled product is
very risky and most likely unwholesome for consumption. Any pack of these
imported non-conforming flour-based products found in our markets would be
removed and the owners held accountable until they take us to the source.”
very risky and most likely unwholesome for consumption. Any pack of these
imported non-conforming flour-based products found in our markets would be
removed and the owners held accountable until they take us to the source.”
